Mainframe Mainframes are computers used mainly by large organizations for bulk data processing such as a census, industry and consumer statistics and financial transaction processing. They can perform millions of instructions per second, nearly all mainframes have the ability to run multiple operating systems at the same time and a single mainframe can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller servers. These machines often run for years without interruption, with repairs and hardware upgrades taking place during normal operation
Supercomputers Supercomputers are very different from mainframe computers. The term supercomputer is not a very good one because today's supercomputers tend to become tomorrow's ordinary computers. Supercomputers are used for scientific and engineering problems which involve lots of calculations and are limited by processing speed and memory size such as problems involving quantum physics, weather forecasting and climate research.
ICT Strand 3
Unit 3.3, Networks
Mainframe, supercomputers
Mainframe
Mainframes are computers used mainly by large organizations for bulk data processing such as a census, industry and consumer statistics and financial transaction processing. They can perform millions of instructions per second, nearly all mainframes have the ability to run multiple operating systems at the same time and a single mainframe can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller servers. These machines often run for years without interruption, with repairs and hardware upgrades taking place during normal operation
Supercomputers
Supercomputers are very different from mainframe computers. The term supercomputer is not a very good one because today's supercomputers tend to become tomorrow's ordinary computers. Supercomputers are used for scientific and engineering problems which involve lots of calculations and are limited by processing speed and memory size such as problems involving quantum physics, weather forecasting and climate research.